United Friends School marks 16th year participating in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Kindergarten students, left to right, Benjamin Banford, Maisy Funk, Ella Sims and Pi`ikea Fujita hold up bread the class made for a meal prepared by the school and later served at the American House in Pennsburg.

United Friends School students Noemi Nieves-Hoblon, Chloe Bell, Catelyn Fitzgerald and Grace Henry hold up one of the finished blankets which will be sent to an Indian reservation in New Mexico.

Laurel Reese places a box of cereal in a bag during the sorting of food items which were collected by students and donated to the Quakertown Food Pantry.

Students and faculty of United Friends School in Quakertown, along with members of the community, emulated the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by giving back to their community on Monday. From kindergarten to eighth grade, and even alumni of the Friends School, every student participated in helping those less fortunate.

For 16 years, the United Friends School has participated in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Ten different organizations benefit from the work done by these students, including the Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, Clare Bridge Cottage, Phoebe Richland Nursing, Telford Lutheran Community, Care and Share, Nova Thrift Shop, Richland Meeting House, Quakertown Food Pantry and the American House.

Mrs. Clemens’ third grade class collected canned foods to donate to the Quakertown Food Pantry. Over 290 cans were collected, sorted, and graphed by the class. Following sorting children loaded the provisions in wagons and delivered them to the food pantry a short distance from the school.

Kindergarten students baked buns and bread, part of a meal the school prepared and served to residents of the American House in Pennsburg.

“People don’t have enough food, so we have to help them,” says kindergarten student Kellyn Quinn, a sentiment echoed by all her peers.

In the library of the United Friends School, a different type of service was being done by students from third grade to alumni. Using fabric provided by the faculty, students crafted hats, scarves, and blankets to send to Native American reservations and schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Out in the community, more students could be found at the Salvation Army where they were doing some hard work. These students were given the task of sorting through every piece of clothing in the store, finding the older pieces, and putting them in the back of the store to be sent off to Japan.

“United Friends School is committed to issues of equity and justice,” said Head of School Nancy Donnelly, “We honor Dr. King through service”. Donnelly’s helpful attitude was shared by all her peers and students.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a day where Americans across the country come together to serve their neighbors. To find service projects, or register your own, visit the Day’s web site, www.mlkday.gov .

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